Bölüm 1

BLOODY CRESCENT

Episode 1 — “The Choice”

⸻

FADE IN:

EXT. ASHFORD MANOR — NIGHT

A massive, ancient manor stands beside a dark and motionless lake. Its tall stone walls disappear into the darkness, while faint lights shine through a few of its windows.

The surrounding trees move gently in the cold wind. The iron gates stand open.

The camera slowly approaches the house.

TITLE CARD:

ASHFORD MANOR

THE ASHFORD FAMILY ESTATE

TITLE CARD:

JANUARY 7, 2026

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — DINING ROOM — NIGHT

The dining room is elegant and dimly lit by candles.

At the center of the table sits a beautiful birthday cake.

Written across the cake are the words:

WELCOME TO 18

The number eight is surrounded by two small decorative circles.

LENA ASHFORD, eighteen years old, sits in front of the cake.

She has a gentle face, soft manners, and an innocent warmth in her expression.

Standing beside her are her father, ALARIC ASHFORD, and her grandmother, ROSA.

ROSA AND ALARIC

Happy birthday, Lena.

ROSA AND ALARIC

Happy birthday to you.

ROSA AND ALARIC

Happy birthday, dear Lena.

ROSA AND ALARIC

Happy birthday to you.

Lena smiles and closes her eyes.

She leans toward the cake and blows out the candles.

The room becomes slightly darker.

Rosa claps softly.

ROSA

Our little girl is eighteen.

LENA

Thank you.

Alaric smiles and reaches behind him.

He takes out a small, beautifully wrapped box.

ALARIC

This is for you, sweetheart.

Lena looks surprised.

LENA

For me?

Alaric nods.

Lena carefully opens the box.

Inside is an antique necklace.

It is extraordinarily beautiful. The delicate design suggests that it has belonged to someone important for a very long time.

On the back of the pendant is a single engraved letter.

S.

Lena turns the necklace over in her hands.

LENA

What’s this?

She looks toward Rosa.

LENA

Rosie?

Rosa’s expression changes.

For a moment, she looks as though she has been waiting for this question for years.

ROSA

That belonged to your mother.

Lena’s eyes soften.

ROSA (CONT’D)

She never took it off.

Lena looks down at the necklace.

LENA

It’s beautiful.

Alaric watches Rosa carefully.

ALARIC

Thank you for the gift, Mom Rosa, but I don’t think Lena needs this.

Rosa slowly turns toward him.

ROSA

She is eighteen, Alaric.

ALARIC

I know.

ROSA

Then she has a right to know something about herself.

Lena looks between them.

LENA

What do you mean?

Alaric immediately smiles.

ALARIC

Nothing, sweetheart.

He gently touches the necklace.

ALARIC (CONT’D)

It’s just an old family heirloom.

LENA

I like it.

Rosa smiles faintly.

Alaric looks relieved, but only for a moment.

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — DINING ROOM — LATER

The birthday cake has been eaten.

The plates have been cleared from the table.

Lena sits quietly with a cup of tea.

Rosa watches her with affection.

LENA

Thank you for tonight.

ROSA

You deserve much more than a cake and an old necklace.

LENA

I really like the necklace.

She touches the pendant.

LENA (CONT’D)

I wish Mom could have been here.

The room falls silent.

Rosa lowers her eyes.

Alaric looks toward the window.

ALARIC

She would have loved seeing you today.

Lena smiles sadly.

LENA

I think I would have liked her.

Alaric says nothing.

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — LENA’S BEDROOM — NIGHT

Lena’s bedroom overlooks the lake.

The room is decorated with dark wooden furniture, gothic details, antique objects, and deep-colored curtains.

A few childhood belongings remain carefully preserved.

Lena is asleep.

TIME CARD:

3:47 A.M.

A faint melody begins playing.

Lena moves slightly in her sleep.

The melody continues.

She slowly opens her eyes.

LENA

What…?

She listens carefully.

The sound is coming from inside her wardrobe.

Lena sits up.

She looks toward the wardrobe.

The melody suddenly stops.

Then a mechanical voice speaks.

TOY TELEPHONE

One new message from Selena Ashford.

Lena freezes.

Her mother has been dead for thirteen years.

TOY TELEPHONE

One new message.

Lena slowly gets out of bed.

She opens the wardrobe and takes out an old box.

Inside is a small toy telephone with a bat-shaped design.

It was a gift from her mother when Lena was little.

Lena picks it up.

Its tiny screen flickers.

SCREEN:

NEW MESSAGE

PLAY MESSAGE?

Lena stares at the screen.

LENA

How is this possible?

She hesitates.

Then she presses PLAY.

⸻

VIDEO RECORDING — SELENA ASHFORD

The screen fills with distorted pixels.

A woman’s voice begins.

The image slowly becomes clearer.

SELENA ASHFORD appears on the screen.

She is young, elegant, and smiling warmly at the camera.

SELENA — VIDEO

Happy birthday, Lena.

Lena’s eyes widen.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Happy birthday, my beautiful girl.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

I hope you’re doing well.

I hope you’re happy.

Lena slowly sits on the edge of her bed.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

I love you very much, sweetheart.

The video glitches for a second.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Today, you should be eighteen years old.

A small date appears in the corner of the recording.

2013

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

I recorded this in 2013.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Right now, you’re only five years old.

Selena smiles gently.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

But by the time you’re watching this…

technically, you’ll be eighteen.

Lena’s expression becomes more serious.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

It’s time for me to tell you some things.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

And it’s time for you to make a choice.

Lena leans closer to the screen.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Because you’re now the same age I was when I made one of the biggest choices of my life.

Selena pauses.

Then she smiles again.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Did you make any friends?

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Did your favorite color change?

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

You loved pink and purple when you were five.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Do you still like them?

Selena laughs softly.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

And that little toy you used to carry everywhere…

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Do you still have it?

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

I hope you didn’t throw it away.

Lena looks toward the toy telephone in her hands.

Her eyes begin to fill with tears.

Selena’s smile slowly fades.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

But there is something important you need to understand.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

If you ever feel like your father has hidden things from you…

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Please don’t think he did it because he didn’t love you.

Lena’s breathing becomes uneven.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Your father has spent years trying to protect you.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

He even gave up something very important because of you.

Lena wipes a tear from her cheek.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

And the choice you make now may affect him more than you realize.

The video flickers.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Because the thing he has been protecting you from all these years…

Selena looks directly into the camera.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

Is your true self.

A long pause.

SELENA — VIDEO (CONT’D)

The truth is, you’re a—

CRACK!

A massive bolt of lightning strikes the lake outside.

The entire manor shakes.

Lena screams and drops the telephone.

The screen goes black.

For a few seconds, there is only silence.

Then the storm continues outside.

Lena quickly picks up the telephone.

LENA

No, no, no…

She presses PLAY again.

The video restarts.

SELENA — VIDEO

Happy birthday, Lena.

Lena stops breathing for a moment.

She tries to skip forward.

The image freezes.

Selena’s face becomes distorted.

LENA

Come on…

She presses the button repeatedly.

Nothing happens.

The telephone suddenly shuts off.

Lena stares at it.

Then she grabs it and runs out of the room.

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — STAIRCASE — NIGHT

Lena runs down the stairs.

The manor is almost completely silent.

Only a few lights are still on.

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS

Rosa stands in the kitchen.

She turns when she hears Lena.

ROSA

Lena?

Lena rushes toward her.

LENA

Grandma, what is this?

Rosa immediately sees the toy telephone in Lena’s hand.

Her face changes.

LENA (CONT’D)

My mother sent me a message.

Rosa says nothing.

LENA (CONT’D)

She knew I would be eighteen.

LENA (CONT’D)

She said Dad had been protecting me from something.

LENA (CONT’D)

She said he gave up something important because of me.

Lena steps closer.

LENA (CONT’D)

What did she mean?

LENA (CONT’D)

What were you protecting me from?

LENA (CONT’D)

Why do I have to make a choice?

LENA (CONT’D)

What was Mom trying to tell me?

Rosa takes a deep breath.

ROSA

Lena, sweetheart…

Before she can continue—

ALARIC (O.S.)

Lena!

Alaric enters the kitchen.

He has clearly heard the conversation.

ALARIC (CONT’D)

What happened?

Lena turns toward him.

LENA

Dad, what did Mom mean?

Alaric looks at Rosa.

Rosa is about to speak.

ROSA

She deserves to know.

ALARIC

Rosa—

ROSA

She deserves to know what she—

ALARIC

Enough.

Lena looks between them.

LENA

What am I?

Alaric immediately softens his expression.

He walks toward Lena.

ALARIC

Sweetheart, your grandmother was going to say that we have spent all these years protecting you from bad people.

Lena stares at him.

LENA

Bad people?

ALARIC

Yes.

He gently takes the telephone from her.

ALARIC (CONT’D)

It’s late.

ALARIC (CONT’D)

You should go upstairs and get some sleep.

Lena doesn’t move.

LENA

Dad—

ALARIC

Please, Lena.

His voice is gentle, but final.

Lena looks at Rosa.

Rosa cannot meet her eyes.

Lena slowly turns toward the stairs.

She begins walking upstairs.

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — STAIRCASE — CONTINUOUS

Lena reaches the first floor.

She stops.

Instead of going to her room, she stays behind the wall and listens.

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS

Rosa turns toward Alaric.

ROSA

You should have told her.

ALARIC

Not tonight.

ROSA

She has a right to know.

ALARIC

And what exactly will knowing change?

Rosa looks at him in disbelief.

ROSA

Everything.

Alaric’s expression becomes tense.

ALARIC

Do you really think everything will become better once she knows?

ALARIC (CONT’D)

Have you forgotten what we went through?

Rosa’s voice becomes quieter.

ROSA

I remember.

ALARIC

Then you understand why I can’t tell her.

ROSA

No.

Alaric looks at her.

ROSA (CONT’D)

I understand why you’re afraid.

ROSA (CONT’D)

But Selena was my daughter.

She takes a step closer.

ROSA (CONT’D)

I loved her more than anything.

ROSA (CONT’D)

And I love Lena just as much.

Alaric looks away.

ROSA (CONT’D)

You cannot decide that Lena’s life must become Selena’s life.

ALARIC

I’m trying to keep her safe.

ROSA

You don’t know what will happen to her.

ALARIC

Neither do you.

Rosa becomes emotional.

ROSA

Exactly.

A long silence fills the kitchen.

ROSA (CONT’D)

You cannot protect someone from their own nature forever.

Alaric says nothing.

Rosa turns away.

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — LENA’S BEDROOM — LATER

Lena closes the door quietly.

She leans against it.

Her face is pale.

She looks at the toy telephone on her desk.

LENA

My own nature…

She touches her mother’s necklace.

The letter S catches the moonlight.

Lena lies down.

She closes her eyes.

But sleep does not come.

⸻

INT. LENA’S BEDROOM — MORNING

TIME CARD:

6:32 A.M.

The first sunlight enters the room.

Lena suddenly wakes up.

She sits up.

Her throat feels painfully dry.

She reaches for the glass of water beside her bed and drinks it quickly.

Then she drinks more.

She looks confused.

LENA

Why am I this thirsty?

She gets out of bed.

⸻

INT. LENA’S BEDROOM — CONTINUOUS

Lena stands in front of the mirror.

Her hair is messy.

She picks up her hairbrush.

Then she stops.

Something is wrong.

Her skin looks unusually pale.

She touches her cheek.

LENA

Am I sick?

Her smartwatch suddenly vibrates.

SMARTWATCH

No pulse detected.

Lena freezes.

SMARTWATCH

No pulse detected.

She looks at the watch.

LENA

What?

She removes it immediately.

LENA (CONT’D)

It’s probably broken.

She places it on the table.

Then she looks back into the mirror.

Her eyes begin to sting.

Lena blinks several times.

Her vision becomes watery.

Slowly, her pupils contract.

They become unnaturally sharp.

Lena stares at herself.

LENA

No…

She rubs her eyes.

But the reflection remains unchanged.

LENA (CONT’D)

I’m hallucinating.

She reaches for her toothbrush.

She applies toothpaste.

Then she looks into the mirror again.

Her canine teeth are visibly longer and sharper than before.

The toothbrush slips from her hand.

LENA

What is happening to me?

She touches her mouth.

LENA (CONT’D)

This isn’t real.

She turns toward the window.

Sunlight fills the room.

LENA (CONT’D)

Maybe I just need some air.

She walks toward the window.

LENA (CONT’D)

Maybe I haven’t slept enough.

She reaches for the curtains.

The moment sunlight touches her exposed skin, Lena recoils in pain.

She lets out a sharp cry.

LENA

Ah!

She falls backward and clutches her arm.

Her skin is visibly damaged by the sunlight.

Lena looks at the window in terror.

LENA (CONT’D)

No…

She crawls away from the sunlight.

Then she looks toward the mirror.

Her reflection begins to fade.

Lena’s eyes widen.

For a moment, the mirror reflects only the empty room.

Then her reflection returns.

LENA

No, no, no—

She tries to stand.

Her bare foot touches a patch of sunlight on the floor.

She immediately pulls it back.

Her breathing becomes weak and unsteady.

LENA (CONT’D)

Dad…

The room spins.

She collapses.

The last thing she sees is the necklace on her desk.

The letter S.

CUT TO BLACK.

⸻

INT. LENA’S BEDROOM — LATER

Silence.

Lena slowly opens her eyes.

Her vision is blurry.

Two figures stand beside her bed.

Alaric.

Rosa.

Both look deeply worried.

Lena tries to sit up.

ALARIC

Don’t move too quickly.

Lena looks at Rosa.

LENA

What happened?

Neither of them answers.

Lena looks toward the window.

The curtains are completely closed.

She looks at her hands.

Her skin appears normal again.

LENA (CONT’D)

Why are you both looking at me like that?

Alaric and Rosa exchange a glance.

Neither says anything.

Then, from somewhere downstairs—

The old toy telephone begins playing its melody again.

Lena slowly turns toward the sound.

CUT TO BLACK.

INT. LENA’S BEDROOM — MORNING

Silence.

Lena slowly opens her eyes.

Her vision is blurry.

Two figures stand beside her bed.

Alaric.

Rosa.

Both look deeply worried.

Lena tries to sit up.

ALARIC

Don’t move too quickly.

Lena looks at Rosa.

LENA

What happened?

Neither of them answers.

Lena looks toward the window.

The curtains are completely closed.

She looks at her hands.

Her skin appears normal again.

LENA

Why are you both looking at me like that?

Alaric and Rosa exchange a glance.

Neither says anything.

Then, from somewhere downstairs—

The old toy telephone begins playing its melody again.

Lena slowly turns toward the sound.

CUT TO BLACK.

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — HALLWAY — MORNING

Lena walks quickly down the hallway.

The melody continues somewhere downstairs.

She reaches the staircase.

Then the melody suddenly stops.

Lena looks around.

Nothing.

She slowly walks downstairs.

⸻

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — KITCHEN — CONTINUOUS

Rosa is standing near the kitchen counter.

Alaric is sitting at the table.

The toy telephone is nowhere to be seen.

Lena enters.

LENA

What was that?

Alaric looks at her.

ALARIC

What?

LENA

The phone.

ALARIC

What phone?

Lena stares at him.

LENA

The toy telephone.

Alaric says nothing.

LENA (CONT’D)

It started playing again.

Rosa looks at Alaric.

LENA

What is my mother trying to tell me?

Rosa slowly sits down.

ROSA

Lena—

LENA

No.

Lena walks closer.

LENA (CONT’D)

Yesterday you both told me nothing.

LENA (CONT’D)

Then I woke up this morning and—

She stops.

She looks down at her hands.

LENA (CONT’D)

Something is wrong with me.

Alaric stands.

ALARIC

You’re not sick.

LENA

How do you know?

Alaric doesn’t answer.

LENA (CONT’D)

My watch said I had no pulse.

Alaric’s expression changes slightly.

LENA (CONT’D)

My eyes changed.

LENA (CONT’D)

My teeth changed.

LENA (CONT’D)

And the sunlight—

She looks at her arm.

LENA (CONT’D)

It hurt.

Rosa looks down.

LENA

Am I hallucinating?

ROSA

No.

LENA

Then am I losing my mind?

ROSA

No, sweetheart.

LENA

Then tell me what is happening!

Silence.

Lena looks between them.

LENA (CONT’D)

You’re my grandmother.

LENA (CONT’D)

You’re a doctor.

She looks directly at Rosa.

LENA (CONT’D)

You know what’s wrong with me.

Rosa’s eyes fill slightly.

ROSA

I know what’s happening to you.

Lena waits.

ROSA (CONT’D)

But I can’t tell you yet.

Lena stares at her in disbelief.

LENA

Why?

Rosa doesn’t answer.

LENA

Why won’t anyone tell me the truth?

Alaric steps closer.

ALARIC

Because we’re trying to protect you.

Lena immediately becomes frustrated.

LENA

From what?

Alaric remains silent.

LENA (CONT’D)

You keep saying you’re protecting me.

LENA (CONT’D)

My mother said you were protecting me.

LENA (CONT’D)

Grandma says I have a right to know.

LENA (CONT’D)

So what exactly are you protecting me from?

Alaric cannot answer.

Lena shakes her head.

LENA

Fine.

She grabs her school bag from a nearby chair.

ALARIC

Lena, maybe you should stay home today.

LENA

No.

ALARIC

You collapsed this morning.

LENA

And staying here is going to make me feel better?

Alaric says nothing.

LENA (CONT’D)

I need to go to school.

She walks toward the door.

ROSA

Lena—

Lena stops.

ROSA (CONT’D)

Be careful.

Lena turns around.

LENA

Of what?

Rosa cannot answer.

Lena watches her for a moment.

Then she leaves.

⸻

EXT. ASHFORD MANOR — MORNING

Lena walks down the stone path toward the gates.

She looks back at the manor.

For a moment, she touches her mother’s necklace.

Then she turns away.

⸻

EXT. SCHOOL — MORNING

Students walk through the school entrance.

Lena enters the building.

She looks exhausted.

She keeps touching her throat.

She still feels strangely thirsty.

She takes a bottle of water from her bag and drinks.

It doesn’t help.

She looks confused.

Then she hears a familiar voice.

ALAN (O.S.)

Lena.

She turns.

ALAN SWINBOURNE stands a few steps away.

Nineteen years old.

Calm, friendly, and familiar.

Lena smiles faintly.

LENA

Hey.

Alan walks toward her.

ALAN

You look terrible.

Lena gives him an annoyed look.

LENA

Wow. Good morning to you too.

Alan smiles.

ALAN

Sorry.

LENA

It’s fine.

Alan studies her face.

ALAN

Did you sleep at all?

LENA

Not really.

ALAN

Why?

Lena hesitates.

She looks around.

LENA

Something happened last night.

Alan’s expression becomes slightly more serious.

ALAN

What happened?

Lena touches her necklace.

LENA

My mom left me a message.

Alan looks at the necklace.

ALAN

Your mom?

LENA

Yeah.

ALAN

How?

Lena gives a small, nervous laugh.

LENA

That’s the problem.

She looks at him.

LENA (CONT’D)

I don’t know.

Alan watches her carefully.

LENA (CONT’D)

And this morning I woke up feeling really sick.

ALAN

Do you want me to take you home?

LENA

No.

ALAN

Are you sure?

LENA

Yeah.

She smiles faintly.

LENA (CONT’D)

I’ll be fine.

Alan nods.

ALAN

Okay.

They begin walking toward their classroom together.

Lena suddenly stops.

Alan looks back.

ALAN

What?

Lena looks toward the sunlight coming through the windows.

She instinctively steps away from it.

Alan notices.

ALAN

Lena?

LENA

I’m fine.

Alan looks at her for a moment.

Something about her seems different.

But he says nothing.

They continue walking.

⸻

INT. SCHOOL — CLASSROOM — MORNING

Lena and Alan enter the classroom.

They sit in their usual seats.

The teacher begins the lesson.

Lena opens her notebook.

She tries to concentrate.

But the words on the page begin to blur.

Her throat feels dry again.

She looks at Alan.

He is writing something in his notebook.

Lena quietly whispers.

LENA

Alan.

He looks at her.

ALAN

Yeah?

LENA

Can I ask you something?

ALAN

Sure.

LENA

Do you ever feel like something is wrong with you…

She hesitates.

LENA (CONT’D)

…but you don’t know what it is?

Alan looks at her.

For a brief moment, his expression becomes unusually serious.

ALAN

Sometimes.

Lena smiles slightly.

LENA

Good.

ALAN

Good?

LENA

Yeah.

She looks back at her notebook.

LENA (CONT’D)

At least I’m not the only one.

Alan watches her quietly.

Then he looks toward the window.

Sunlight fills the classroom.

Alan’s expression changes for only a second.

CUT TO BLACK.

INT. SCHOOL — CLASSROOM — MORNING

The teacher continues writing on the board.

Lena sits beside Alan.

Alan leans slightly toward her.

ALAN

Did you understand any of that?

LENA

Not a word.

Alan quietly laughs.

ALAN

Good. I thought it was just me.

Lena smiles.

The teacher suddenly turns around.

TEACHER

Ms. Ashford.

Lena immediately looks up.

TEACHER (CONT’D)

Mr. Swinbourne.

Alan straightens in his seat.

TEACHER (CONT’D)

Am I interrupting something?

The class becomes quiet.

A few students look toward Lena and Alan.

TEACHER (CONT’D)

Because I really don’t want to get between you two.

Lena and Alan look at each other.

They both start laughing quietly.

LENA

Sorry, ma’am.

ALAN

Sorry.

TEACHER

Good.

She turns back toward the board.

Lena and Alan exchange one last amused look before becoming quiet.

⸻

INT. SCHOOL — HALLWAY — LATER

The bell rings.

Students immediately leave their classrooms.

Lena walks into the hallway.

MAYA approaches her.

MAYA

Lena!

Lena turns around.

LENA

Hey.

MAYA

Come on.

Maya grabs Lena’s arm lightly and pulls her toward the lockers.

LENA

What?

MAYA

I need to talk to you.

LENA

That sounds serious.

MAYA

It is.

Lena looks at her.

MAYA (CONT’D)

Okay, maybe not serious.

LENA

I knew it.

They both laugh.

They walk through the hallway together.

⸻

INT. SCHOOL — HALLWAY — CONTINUOUS

Lena and Maya stand near the lockers.

They talk casually.

MAYA

So, how was your birthday?

LENA

It was good.

MAYA

Just good?

LENA

Yeah.

MAYA

That’s it?

LENA

I got a necklace from my dad.

MAYA

Really?

LENA

Yeah.

She touches the necklace.

MAYA

It’s pretty.

LENA

It belonged to my mom.

Maya looks at her.

MAYA

Oh.

LENA

Yeah.

There is a brief silence.

MAYA

Okay, changing the subject.

LENA

Please.

MAYA

Did you see that guy from the other class yesterday?

LENA

Which one?

MAYA

The tall one.

LENA

That’s not helpful.

MAYA

The one with the black jacket.

LENA

There are like twenty guys with black jackets.

Maya laughs.

MAYA

Fine. The one who keeps looking at you.

Lena rolls her eyes.

LENA

Nobody is looking at me.

MAYA

Lena.

LENA

What?

MAYA

He absolutely is.

Lena laughs.

LENA

Whatever.

MAYA

Okay, then let’s talk about someone else.

LENA

Who?

MAYA

You know exactly who.

Lena immediately realizes what she means.

LENA

No.

MAYA

I didn’t even say his name.

LENA

You were about to.

MAYA

Maybe.

They laugh again.

They continue talking about their classes, teachers, other students, and the people they have been talking about lately.

For the first time that morning, Lena looks genuinely relaxed.

Then Alan approaches them.

ALAN

Hey.

Lena turns toward him.

LENA

Hey.

Maya looks at Alan.

MAYA

Hey.

Alan smiles.

ALAN

What are you two talking about?

MAYA

Girls’ business.

ALAN

That sounds dangerous.

LENA

Very.

Alan laughs.

Maya looks between them.

Then she checks the time.

MAYA

Oh.

LENA

What?

MAYA

I just remembered I have something to do.

Lena looks at her suspiciously.

LENA

You do?

MAYA

Yeah.

Alan raises an eyebrow.

MAYA (CONT’D)

The gym teacher asked me to go see him.

Lena stares at her.

Alan stares at her.

MAYA

What?

LENA

You have never talked to the gym teacher in your life.

MAYA

Exactly.

Lena starts laughing.

MAYA (CONT’D)

Anyway, I have to go.

She starts walking away.

MAYA (CONT’D)

See you later.

LENA

Bye.

ALAN

Bye.

Maya walks away.

Lena watches her go.

Then she looks at Alan.

LENA

That was the worst lie I’ve ever heard.

Alan smiles.

ALAN

She tried.

Lena laughs.

⸻

INT. SCHOOL — HALLWAY — CONTINUOUS

Lena and Alan remain alone.

Alan looks at Lena for a moment.

His smile slowly disappears.

ALAN

You seem different today.

Lena looks at him.

LENA

Different how?

ALAN

I don’t know.

He studies her face.

ALAN (CONT’D)

There’s something about you today.

LENA

Is that a bad thing?

ALAN

I didn’t say that.

Lena smiles faintly.

ALAN (CONT’D)

Are you okay?

Lena hesitates.

LENA

Have you ever felt like you knew something…

She stops.

ALAN

What do you mean?

LENA

Like you knew something once, but somehow couldn’t remember it?

Alan looks at her carefully.

ALAN

No.

LENA

I don’t know how to explain it.

She looks down.

LENA (CONT’D)

It feels like something is happening.

ALAN

What kind of something?

LENA

I don’t know.

She looks around the hallway.

LENA (CONT’D)

It feels like everyone around me knows something.

Alan remains silent.

LENA (CONT’D)

Something about me.

LENA (CONT’D)

And they’re all trying to make sure I don’t find out.

Alan watches her.

He doesn’t know what to say.

Lena suddenly shakes her head.

LENA

Forget it.

ALAN

Lena—

LENA

It’s stupid.

She gives him a small smile.

LENA (CONT’D)

Anyway…

She changes the subject.

LENA (CONT’D)

What did you do yesterday?

ALAN

Yesterday?

LENA

Yeah.

ALAN

Not much.

LENA

Did you finally settle into the new house?

Alan smiles.

ALAN

We’re getting there.

LENA

How’s it going?

ALAN

It’s weird.

LENA

Why?

ALAN

It’s just…

He thinks for a moment.

ALAN (CONT’D)

My family has a lot of stuff.

LENA

I can imagine.

Alan laughs.

ALAN

You should see the place.

LENA

Maybe I will.

Alan looks at her.

ALAN

I’d like that.

Lena smiles.

The school bell rings.

They both look toward the classroom.

LENA

We should go.

ALAN

Yeah.

They start walking.

The camera remains behind them.

For a moment, Alan glances at Lena.

His expression becomes thoughtful.

CUT TO BLACK.

INT. ASHFORD MANOR — ROSA’S STUDY — DAY

Rosa stands near the window.

Alaric sits across from her.

The room is quiet.

ROSA

We should have told her years ago.

ALARIC

No.

ROSA

Alaric—

ALARIC

No, Rosa.

Rosa turns toward him.

ROSA

She is eighteen now.

ALARIC

And that’s exactly why I’m afraid.

ROSA

Afraid of what?

Alaric looks away.

ALARIC

What happened to Selena could happen to her.

Rosa becomes silent.

ALARIC (CONT’D)

You remember what happened.

ROSA

Of course I remember.

ALARIC

Then you know why I can’t do this.

ROSA

You think keeping her ignorant will protect her?

ALARIC

I think giving her the truth could put her in danger.

ROSA

Or it could give her a chance to protect herself.

Alaric looks at her.

ROSA (CONT’D)

She isn’t Selena.

ALARIC

How do you know?

ROSA

Because she is Lena.

ALARIC

That doesn’t mean she can’t end up like her mother.

Rosa walks closer.

ROSA

You cannot keep treating Lena like she’s already doomed.

ALARIC

I’m not.

ROSA

You are.

Alaric looks down.

ROSA (CONT’D)

We should have done this much earlier.

ALARIC

Earlier?

ROSA

Yes.

ALARIC

How?

He looks at her.

ALARIC (CONT’D)

How was she supposed to understand any of this when she was five?

ROSA

She wouldn’t have.

ALARIC

Exactly.

ROSA

But Selena—

ALARIC

Selena is dead.

Rosa’s expression falls.

ALARIC (CONT’D)

And I am not going to lose Lena too.

ROSA

You don’t know that you’re going to lose her.

ALARIC

I know what this world does to people like her.

Rosa looks at him sadly.

ROSA

Then maybe she deserves to know what kind of world she’s living in.

Alaric says nothing.

CUT TO:

EXT. VAMPIRE CEMETERY — NIGHT

A cold wind moves through the ancient cemetery.

Tall black trees surround rows of old stone graves.

At the center stands a beautifully carved tombstone.

SELENA ASHFORD

1018 — 2013

Beloved daughter. Mother.

The camera slowly moves closer.

A pair of black-gloved hands enter the frame.

The hands are holding a bouquet of red roses.

The person carefully keeps the roses away from his bare skin.

The camera slowly moves upward.

ORION stands in front of Selena’s grave.

He looks at the tombstone.

ORION

I’m here, Mom.

A faint mist gathers beside the grave.

A woman’s silhouette slowly appears.

SELENA

Welcome, Orion.

Orion looks at her.

SELENA (CONT’D)

What do I owe this visit?

ORION

My sister’s birthday, of course.

He gives a small, bitter smile.

ORION (CONT’D)

The sister who doesn’t even know I exist.

Selena looks at him.

SELENA

Orion, don’t do this.

Orion remains silent.

Selena’s eyes move toward the bouquet in his hands.

SELENA (CONT’D)

Are those for me?

Orion looks at the roses.

Then he slowly extends the bouquet toward her.

Selena reaches for them.

For a moment, the roses remain suspended between them.

Then Selena is able to take them from his hands.

She looks at the flowers.

SELENA (CONT’D)

Roses.

She smiles faintly.

SELENA (CONT’D)

You remembered.

Orion says nothing.

Selena brings the roses closer and smells them.